Shabnim Ismail ruled out of WBBL 07 with knee injury

The Sydney Thunder pace bowler sustained the injury during South Africa’s recent tour of West Indies

WBBL 07 full squad lists

Sydney Thunder sign Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma

Sydney Thunder’s title defence has suffered a blow following Shabnim Ismail's withdrawal from the 2021 Women’s Big Bash League with a knee injury.

The pace bowler suffered the injury during South Africa’s recent white-ball tour of West Indies.

The 32-year-old, who has represented both Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder, has made 31 career WBBL appearances, taking 27 wickets and bowling with an economy of 5.61. She was instrumental in Thunder’s title-winning campaign in 2020, taking 14 wickets and picking up player of the match honours in the final against Melbourne Stars.

Addressing her absence, head coach, Trevor Griffin, said: "She took a bad knock and unfortunately Shabnim won’t be able to play in this season’s WBBL competition. It’s terrible news because she’s been an important member of Sydney Thunder over the last couple of seasons.

^{Shabnim Ismail took 2 for 12 in the WBBL 06 final against Melbourne Stars, removing Elyse Villani and Meg Lanning}

"She showed her class in the final against the Melbourne Stars at North Sydney Oval last year. I’m just as disappointed for her because I know how much she enjoys being a part of Thunder nation and the WBBL."

Cricket New South Wales’ head of female cricket, Leah Poulton, added: "It’s a huge loss for Sydney Thunder, and also the WBBL competition. She’s a much-loved character in the Thunder team.

"And that’s why, above everything else, we’re devastated that Shabnim can’t come out because she’s an important part of the group. They’ll obviously also miss her on the field because she’s that x-factor player who’s capable of turning a match on its head within an over. That’s a huge loss for any team."